What is chewing gum? Chewing gum is a soft, rubbery substance that’s designed to be chewed but not swallowed. The composition of chewing gum includes: Gum: The non-digestible, rubbery base used to give gum its chewy quality. Resin: Usually added to strengthen gum and hold it together. Fillers: Fillers, such as calcium carbonate or talc, are used to give gum texture. Preservatives: These are added to extend shelf life. The most popular choice is an organic compound called butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT.) Softeners: These are used to retain moisture and prevent the gum from hardening. Sweeteners: Popular ones include cane sugar, beet sugar, and corn syrup. Sugar-free gums use sugar alcohols like xylitol or artificial sweeteners like aspartame. Flavorings: Added to give the desired flavor.

Advantages of chewing gum There are many benefits to oral health from chewing gum. Some of them are as follows: Prevents Cavities and Improves Oral Health Sugar-free gum is particularly known to be effective in preventing tooth decay. Its effects are similar to mouthwash and toothpaste that contain fluoride. Chewing on sugarless gum just for 20 minutes after a meal can keep teeth decay and gingivitis at bay. It works by increasing the secretion of saliva in the mouth and removing food particles and acids on the teeth, which would otherwise lead to tooth decay. Saliva further helps keep the enamel strong by supplying it with calcium and phosphate to strengthen it. This means the teeth have greater resistance to decay and cavities. Eases Acid Reflux Acid reflux is a complicated problem where the stomach acids move up the esophagus (food pipe) while damaging it simultaneously, which gives rise to the familiar burning sensation in the throat or chest. Surprisingly, chewing gum is a good way to ease acid reflux by clearing up the food pipe and neutralizing the acids to give some relief. Improves Digestion While chewing gum has no direct influence on the digestive process, chewing gum before a meal improves digestion. This happens because the chewing action stimulates the mouth to produce saliva and the stomach to produce digestive acids, effectively preparing the system for a meal. Therefore, not only will it ease in swallowing food but also improves digestion by getting the stomach ready. Fights Nausea People prone to morning or motion sickness can get great relief by chewing on a piece of gum, especially the herbal types that have ginger to aid in salivary production and digestion. Helps Manage Weight Chewing gum is a good way to keep your cravings at bay when you are trying to lose weight. According to studies, popping sugar-free gum when you feel cravings for a sugary snack is a good way to immediately reward yourself without all the additional calories and tricking your brain. This is also an excellent way for you to stop yourself from mindless nibbles of high-calorie snacks while watching TV or relaxing. Improves Memory and Cognitive Performance If you are engaged in a brain-intensive task, you could do better by chewing gum for the brain. Medical tests showed increased brain activity in the hippocampus, which is an area responsible for concentration and reaction times, due to increased oxygen supply to the brain. It is believed that the increased heart rate and blood flow to the brain are responsible for the boost observed. Lowers Stress and Anxiety Chewing on a piece of gum is just as good a way to release your nervous energy and a better substitute for your instinctive nervousness habits. Lower fatigue levels and higher moods are found in gum-chewers. It is thought that chewing gum has a calming effect because of the reduction in the stress hormone cortisol it brings to people. Prevents Dry Mouth and Freshens Breath One of the reasons your mouth smells is due to the lack of salivary flow and the growth of excess bacteria that follows. Chewing gum stimulates your salivary glands and keeps your mouth fresh all day while killing the nasty bacteria. This helps maintain our oral health.

Disadvantages of chewing gum There are quite a few side effects or drawbacks of chewing gum on our oral health. A few of them are as follows: Mercury release from dental fillings If you have amalgam fillings that contain mercury as one of their ingredients, chewing gum could cause the release of the mercury into your body. High levels of mercury in the body system may lead to mental disorders, neurological problems, and other health issues. Tooth decay Frequent chewing of sugared gums leads to dental health problems like tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease. The sugar from chewing gum coats your teeth and gradually damages the tooth enamel, especially if you do not immediately clean your teeth afterward. Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) Chewing gum can result in jaw muscle imbalance or TMJ in your jaw, especially if you chew on one side of the mouth more than the other. Whenever you overuse a set of muscles, it results in contracted ligaments and debilitating pain. It can also lead to earaches, toothaches, and headaches. Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS is a gastrointestinal disorder that causes cramping, abdominal pain, and unusual bowel patterns. While chewing gum, you swallow excess air. It can contribute to IBS, which in turn leads to bloating and abdominal pain. Which gums should be chewed and which to avoid There are many chewing gums to choose from. Following are the gums ranked from best to worst. The Best Chewing Gum The best chewing gum for a healthy smile uses Xylitol as the sweetener. This sweetener is all-natural and kills germs in your mouth as you chew. It clears up plaque and other harmful bacteria and provides a smooth surface to your teeth without damaging enamel. These types of gums are your best bet if you are a frequent chewer. Good Chewing Gum Gum sweetened with zero-calorie sweetener does not harm your teeth. These chewing gums can help remove plaque and other damaging acids from your teeth after eating. While they will not damage your teeth, they may cause other health issues. Many artificial sweeteners contain aspartame, which has been linked to heart disease, among other issues. The Worst Chewing Gum Sugar-based gums are the worst type for your teeth. These gums are sticky, sweet, and generally fruit-flavored. While they are delicious, sugar-based gums will accelerate the build-up of plaque on your teeth which will speed up tooth decay as well. It is better to avoid these types of gums.